Blooming Tuesday: Poppy Dish

No, I haven't disappeared from the face of the earth or from blogging!

I'm trying to put in a certain amount of hours per day making art for the various shops I'm in. I have to equate this with showing up for work, and all things considered I like doing it. And I'm the boss of me!!

This is another little paper clay trinket dish I listed on Etsy. When it was dry the shape reminded me of a poppy the way they flatten out. That's how I determine what to paint inside these little guys. I didn't add any gold leaf to this one so it took a little less time.

And if you have never seen this version of the Wizard of Oz, you must get your hands on a copy! Lisbeth Zwerger is one of my favorite illustrators.

Happy Tuesday!

xo

Lo♥

Animal Wednesday: Does a starfish count?

This is what I've been busy doing this past week. It's a birthday surprise for my friend Barb while she's away on vacation in Arizona! She said to do whatever I wanted, but trust me I had some limits here.

Barb is ultra traditional and her kitchen has been the same for the past twenty-two years! I did the last theme as well, black cats and red/white gingham touches.

I took all of the kitty pictures out of the frames and replaced them with four lovely poppy paintings, one of course by Georgia O'Keefe. Then I went to work on this wall, all free-form with very little pre-drawing. (I hate to have to erase lines after!)

This is a very small wall so I kept the design light and flowing. This wall is to the left of the step up into her kitchen. The starfish, sand dollar, beach glass and shells were added because of all the time Barb has spent on Cape Cod at her family's treasured cottage.

(Here's a bit of detail. I hope they enlarge.)

I had a hard time with the shadowing because the wall kept resisting the glaze. Shadowing is my favorite part! That, and detail. Oh well, it will have to do.

And YES, this is what I was painting when I fell backwards and hit my head.

I can't believe I didn't drag my red paintbrush down the wall.

 

So, Happy Animal Wednesday from me and Grady, my helper ;)

IF: Remember ' Little Girl '

One of my friend's cats passed away a few days ago. She was one of the sweetest cats I've ever known. After eight long days in intensive care, Little Girl lost her battle to kidney failure. Sadly, she was a victim of the melamine poisoning recently found in some brands of pet foods.

I remember Little Girl had huge sea glass green eyes.
She liked to sleep in late.
She insisted on drinking from the bathtub faucet several times a day.
When she chased her little foam rubber balls she looked like she needed a front-end alignment. It was hilarious!
She snored.
She had a delicate 'meow.'
She was kind and gentle.
I never got to say goodbye and I miss her.

Her dear brother Sammy was poisoned by the same food. He's home from the hospital now and is doing much better. I visit him daily to administer fluids to help keep his kidneys flushed. We're all hoping Sammy wins this fight.
I have a feeling Little Girl is right by his side, encouraging him every step of the way.

(For Judy and Carlos, with love....Auntie Laurel)

Watercolor, acrylic washes and many layers of glazing to make Little Girl seem "spirit like."